Aston Villa have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Metz teenager Brian Madjo, in a transfer that is said to be worth €12m.
The 16-year-old has come through the youth ranks with the Ligue 1 outfit and has made his breakthrough this season with five appearances for the senior side.
Capped at U17s level for England having been born in London, he appears to have a bright future ahead of him for club and country.
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Villa certainly believe so, as according to Fabrizio Romano, we have reached an agreement with Metz to sign Madjo, in a deal said to be worth €12m, while he’s set to put pen to paper on a five-year contract with his medical already booked.
That is a significant investment from the club in a young player who has yet to prove himself at the top level in France, and so our scouting network have evidently spotted something that they like, and believe that Madjo could be an excellent fit for Unai Emery’s system and style of play in the long-term future.
It remains to be seen whether or not the plan is to develop him in-house or if he will be sent out on loan immediately after his deal is officially announced, but should the switch go through, he’ll become our second signing of the January transfer window after Brazilian youngster Alysson arrived last week.
It’s another indication and insight into our transfer strategy moving forward as we will continue to target talented young players with big potential, but naturally, the feeling will be that we also need more immediate help through reinforcements with experience and quality to deliver at the highest level for Emery between now and the end of the season.
Time will tell if other deals are in the pipeline to address that, but there is excitement to see Madjo in action, as the club are undoubtedly betting big on him to become a top player as his career evolves, whether that’s in a Villa shirt or perhaps as a savvy investment to profit from further down the road.
